Why are Ed Sheeran's support acts quitting? - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The US leg of Ed Sheeran's Loop tour is in tatters - after Macklemore was removed as a support artist over his comments supporting Palestinians.
Now, four more support acts have pulled out.
Josie Sargent: He's one of the biggest stars on the planet, attracting thousands of fans to stadium tours around the world. But now, Ed Sheeran's US leg of his Loop World Tour is in tatters, after Macklemore was removed as a support artist. And more support acts have also pulled out. So what's going on? It all started when Macklemore said Free Palestine on stage between songs during a New York show on Ed Sheeran's tour back in September.
Macklemore: Free Palestine. I want those words to be loud and clear so the people from Gaza all the way to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten them.
Josie Sargent: That led to a concerted campaign from the Israeli-American Council demanding his removal. Then the promoter of Sheeran's tour says they were told the remaining dates couldn't proceed with Macklemore performing. So Macklemore was booted off the tour. On Monday, he posted a statement on Instagram that shed light on why Ed Sheeran was forced to make the call. Macklemore wrote that billionaire Robert Kraft, who owns the Gillette Stadium where the tour is due to play two shows next week, called Sheeran. He says Mr Kraft told Sheeran that Macklemore was not allowed to perform in his stadium.
Macklemore statement: Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum. If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.
Josie Sargent: In a statement, Mr Kraft said the decision to cancel Macklemore was a result of his recent comments and a broader history of anti-Semitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community. Macklemore denies being anti-Semitic and argues conflating anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel's actions aims to avoid Israeli accountability. Then Ed Sheeran weighed in, also posting to social media to say that Macklemore coming off the tour was the promoter's decision, not his.
Ed Sheeran statement: There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics. My audience includes young people, often children of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum.
Josie Sargent: But Ed Sheeran's reluctance to take a stand has now caused four other acts due to support his tour to also withdraw. Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham and US artist Finneas posted on Instagram that they too were pulling out. Finneas, who was due to join Sheeran on the South American leg, wrote
Finneas statement: Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. I stand with Palestine and its people.
Josie Sargent: And Aaron Rowe said it was his heritage that connected him to the plight of those in Gaza.
Aaron Rowe statement: As Irish people, we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation. I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up.
Josie Sargent: So what happens next? Well, Ed Sheeran has 10 shows left on his US leg of the Loop Tour. The next one is in Philadelphia on Saturday. Macklemore was meant to perform at eight of those shows. So far, no new support act has been announced and it remains to be seen what Ed Sheeran will do next in response to the fallout.
